U.S. patent application number 15/007429 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-27 for portable speaker mount.
The applicant listed for this patent is Thomas Henry Harms. Invention is credited to Thomas Henry Harms.
Application Number | 20170214989 15/007429 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59360868 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170214989 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harms; Thomas Henry |
July 27, 2017 |
PORTABLE SPEAKER MOUNT
Abstract
A portable speaker mount is provided. The portable speaker mount
includes a base plate having a front surface, a rear surface, an
upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side
edge. At least one upper flange arm extends from the upper edge of
the base plate and curves towards the lower edge. At least one
lower flange arm extends from the lower edge of the base plate and
curves towards the upper edge. The lower flange arm includes a
first clearance portion disposed in between an outer edge of the
lower flange arm. The first clearance portion is positioned to
align with a control and port region of a speaker. A cylinder
shaped space is formed in between the upper flange arm and the at
lower flange arm and is sized to snuggly fit the speaker in
between.
Inventors: |
Harms; Thomas Henry; (Palm
Beach Gardens, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Harms; Thomas Henry |
Palm Beach Gardens |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59360868 |
Appl. No.: |
15/007429 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 47/00 20130101;
F16M 13/022 20130101; H04R 1/026 20130101; H04R 2201/025 20130101;
H04R 2201/021 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04R 1/02 20060101
H04R001/02; F16B 47/00 20060101 F16B047/00; F16M 13/02 20060101
F16M013/02 |
Claims
1. A portable speaker mount comprising: a base plate comprising a
front surface, a rear surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first
side edge, and a second side edge, wherein the base plate comprises
an elongated width running from the first side edge to the second
side edge; at least one upper flange arm extending from the upper
edge and curving towards the lower edge; a lower flange arm
extending from the lower edge and extending along the elongated
width of the base plate, wherein the at least one lower flange arm
curves towards the upper edge, wherein an opening is formed by an
inner edge of the at least one lower flange arm forming a clearance
portion for a control and port region of a speaker; and a connector
operable to secure the base plate to a surface, wherein a cylinder
shaped space is formed in between the at least one upper flange arm
and the at least one lower flange arm.
2. The portable speaker mount of claim 1, further comprising a
first side flange arm extending from the first side edge and
curving towards the second side edge, and a second side flange arm
extending from the second side edge and curving towards the second
side edge.
3. The portable speaker mount of claim 1, wherein the at least one
upper flange arm comprises a first upper flange arm and a second
upper flange arm extending from opposing sides of the upper
edge.
4. The portable speaker mount of claim 3, further comprising a
second clearance portion extending from the upper edge towards the
lower edge and disposed in between the first upper flange arm and
the second upper flange arm, wherein the second clearance portion
is positioned to align with a power button of the speaker.
5. The portable speaker mount of claim 1, wherein the connector
comprises at least one mount bracket secured to the rear surface of
base plate, and a suction cup secured within a mount bracket slot
formed through the mount bracket.
6. The portable mount of claim 5, wherein the at least one mount
bracket comprises an aperture aligning with an aperture formed
through the base plate, wherein a threaded fastener runs through
the aligned apertures, thereby securing the at least one mount
bracket to the base plate.
7. The portable speaker mount of claim 5, wherein the at least one
mount bracket comprises a first mount bracket secured to the rear
surface near the first side edge and a second mount bracket secured
to the rear surface near the second side edge.
8. The portable speaker mount of claim 1, wherein the connector
comprises at least one bolt running through at least one opening
formed through the base plate and into the surface.
9. The portable speaker mount of claim 8, wherein the at least one
bolt comprises a first bolt running through a first opening formed
through the base plate near the first side edge, and a second bolt
running through a second opening formed through the base plate near
the second side edge.
10. The portable speaker mount of claim 1, further comprising a
locking slot formed on the front surface of the base plate running
from the first side edge to the second side edge, wherein the
locking slot is formed to receive a locking ridge formed on the
speaker.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to portable speakers and, more
particularly, to a portable speaker mount that exposes the
speaker's ports and control buttons.
[0002] Beats Pill.RTM. is a line of portable, Bluetooth.RTM.
speakers produced by Beats Electronics.RTM.. The Pill is
distinguished by its capsule-like form factor. The Pill uses
Bluetooth.RTM. to connect to a device (such as a smartphone), and
also supports near-field communication for device pairing. It also
includes 3.5 mm audio input and output jacks. The Pill.RTM. charges
over a micro USB port, and comes with a USB AC adapter. The device
also includes a microphone so it can be used as a speakerphone.
[0003] A portable speaker, such as Beats Pill.RTM., is used in many
different environments (i.e. a golf cart or small boat). Most of
these environments do not have adequate places to position the
speaker safely and securely. Current mounts for the Beats Pill.RTM.
cover the speakers USB ports and control buttons. Without access to
the ports and control buttons, the speaker is limited and
eventually runs out of battery power.
[0004] As can be seen, there is a need for an improved mount that
exposes speaker ports and control buttons.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a portable speaker
mount comprises: a base plate comprising a front surface, a rear
surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a
second side edge; at least one upper flange arm extending from the
upper edge and curving towards the lower edge; at least one lower
flange arm extending from the lower edge and curving towards the
upper edge, wherein the at least one lower flange arm comprises a
first clearance portion disposed in between an outer edge of the at
least one lower flange arm and positioned to align with a control
and port region of a speaker; and a mount operable to secure the
base plate to a surface, wherein a cylinder shaped space is formed
in between the at least one upper flange arm and the at least one
lower flange arm.
[0006] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention shown in use affixed to a vertical surface;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present
invention shown in use affixed to a vertical surface;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a detail exploded view of an embodiment a
removable attachment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention showing access to the power button, charging port, and
3.5 mm audio in and out ports;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention shown in use affixed to a horizontal surface;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a section view of the present invention along line
7-7 in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a section view of the present invention along line
7-7 in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a section view of the present invention along line
9-9 in FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
present invention illustrating a more permanent attachment to a
surface as well as the access to the USB port of the speaker;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
present invention shown with an alternate placement method;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a section detail view of the present invention
along line 12-12 in FIG. 11;
[0019] FIG. 13 is a perspective view demonstrating an embodiment of
the present invention placed on a flat horizontal surface;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a top view of an embodiment of the present
invention illustrating power button access to the speaker;
[0021] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the speaker on a
flat horizontal surface; and
[0022] FIG. 16 is a perspective of an embodiment of the present
invention illustrating port access of the speaker on a vertical
mounted surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0024] The present invention includes a multi-positional mount for
the Beats Pill.RTM. portable speaker. The mount of the present
invention utilizes a cradle for the speaker to nest in, as well as
various mounting attachments such as screws, suction cups, or hook
and loop fasteners. Further, the mount allows access to all
features of the speaker regardless of the orientation.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 16, the present invention
includes a portable speaker mount 10. The portable speaker mount 10
includes a base plate 11 having a front surface, a rear surface, an
upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge, and a second side
edge. At least one upper flange arm 14 extends from the upper edge
of the base plate 11 and curves towards the lower edge. At least
one lower flange arm 12 extends from the lower edge of the base
plate 11 and curves towards the upper edge. The lower flange arm 12
includes a first clearance portion disposed in between an outer
edge of the lower flange arm 12. The first clearance portion is
positioned to align with a control and port region 34 of a speaker
32. A cylinder shaped space is formed in between the upper flange
arm 14 and the at lower flange arm 12 and is sized to snuggly fit
the speaker 32 in between. A connector is operable to secure the
base plate 11 to a surface 30 in a vertical or horizontal
position.
[0026] In certain embodiments, the present invention includes a
first side flange 16 extending from the first side edge and curving
towards the second side edge, and a second side flange arm 16
extending from the second side edge and curving towards the first
side edge. The space formed in between the first side flange 16,
the second side flange 16, the upper flange arm 14 and the lower
flange arm 12 may form a capsule shape to fit a Beats Pill.RTM.
snuggly in between.
[0027] The at least one upper flange arm 14 may include a first
upper flange arm 14 and a second upper flange arm 14. The first
upper flange arm 14 may extend from the upper edge of the base
plate 11 near the first side edge. The second upper flange arm 14
may extend from the upper edge of the base plate 11 near the second
side edge. In such embodiments, a second clearance portion may be
formed. The second clearance portion may extend from the upper edge
towards the lower edge, forming a square notch 40. The second
clearance portion may be disposed in between the first upper flange
arm 14 and the second upper flange arm 14. The second clearance
portion may be positioned to align with a power button 42 of the
speaker 32, thereby exposing the power button 42 when the speaker
32 is within the portable speaker mount 10.
[0028] The portable speaker mount 10 of the present invention may
be made to secure the Beats Pill.RTM. to a surface 30. Therefore,
the first clearance portion may include an opening that provides
clearance to the control and port region 34 of the Beats Pill.RTM..
Further, the second clearance portion may include an opening that
provides clearance to the power button 42 of the Beats Pill.RTM..
In certain embodiments, the present invention may further includes
a locking slot 38 formed on the front surface of the base plate 11.
The locking slot 38 may run from the first side edge to the second
side edge. The Beats Pill.RTM. may include a locking ridge 36
protruding from the rear surface. The locking slot 38 is sized to
receive and retain the locking ridge 36 of the Beats Pill.RTM.
speaker.
[0029] In certain embodiments, the base plate 11 may include bolt
apertures formed therethrough. For example, the base plate 11 may
include a first aperture formed near the first side edge and a
second aperture formed near the second side edge. In such
embodiments, the connector may include a threaded fastener 26 sized
to fit through the apertures and into a surface 30, thereby
securing the portable speaker mount 10 to the surface 30.
[0030] In certain embodiments, the present invention may include
mount brackets 18 secured to the rear surface of the base plate 11.
Each mount bracket 18 may include an aperture that aligns with the
apertures formed through the base plate 11. The threaded fastener
26 may run through the aligned apertures and a threaded nut 28 may
be secured to the end of the threaded fastener 26, thereby
connecting the mount bracket 18 to the base plate 11. In certain
embodiments, a mount bracket 18 may be secured to the base plate 11
near the first side edge and the second side edge. Each of the
mount brackets 18 may include a mount bracket slot 20. A suction
cut head 24 may be secured within the bracket slot 20, thereby
securing a suction cup 22 to either side of the base plate 11. The
suction cups 22 may releasably retain the portable speaker mount 10
to the surface 30.
[0031] The portable speaker mount 10 may be made of a plastic
material. A method of making the present invention may include the
following. An injection molding die set is fabricated out of
stainless steel via a CNC Milling machine or similar. Once the die
sets are made, an injection molding machine injects Acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene (ABS) or similar plastic into the voids to
produce a solid plastic final product.
[0032] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *